Education expert offers strategies to combat school stress

As the new school year begins, education expert Ulrike Lichtinger, a professor of social sciences at IU International University of Applied Sciences, offers strategies to help students manage stress and lack of motivation.

Lichtinger advises parents to avoid applying additional pressure through criticism or comparisons, which can increase shame and resistance. Instead, she suggests building self-confidence through 'islands of success' and small, manageable steps.

Key recommendations include focusing on just two or three familiar tasks to build momentum rather than attempting to master entire subjects at once, and setting small, achievable goals accompanied by positive feedback to foster a sense of progress.